Basketball in Africa

By Charles Mutebi

THE Miracle Eagles still harbour playoff ambitions. They may be slim but they are alive. Sunday saw the Eagles keep their post-season dream alive with a 94-53 hammering of Berkley in the FUBA men’s top division at YMCA.

Collin Mukiza sunk a game-high 27 points for Miracle, who cannot afford any more regular-season losses if they are to stand a chance of sneaking into the post-season. Mukiza has soared in his first season as an Eagle and he replicated his best form against Berkley , who are not most daunting of league opponents. In fact, they are the least considering, having lost all their games this season.

His team’s woes notwithstanding, Willliams Odong was able to drop a game-high 31 points for Berkley. Odong’s team have found the going tough in their first season in the men’s top-flight and are certain of relegation back to second division.

As Berkley go down, Miracle are on the way up. After recording five losses in the first round Brian Rugyendo’s team have looked rejuvenated since the start of the second round.

Granted they have only defeated the KCC Lions and now Berkley – two teams on their way down but the Eagles have looked tougher, which is largely down to the signing of Steven Omony early this month.

Omony’s experience, has given Miracle a purposefulness that was largely absent in round 1.

BAYA had put themselves back in the men’s division one title hunt with a 73-67 win that put an end to Premium Cobras’ 12-game winning streak the previous weekend, but on Sunday they fell flat on their face after taking a bullet at Victoria Gymnasium.

PLS Hawks avoided a second loss by a whisker thanks to a Steve Allisop last-ditch basket and Razors pulled off a surprise victory, meaning the fight to avoid relegation is getting tougher.

Cascade Bullets 66 … Baya 60

Baya were expected to win against Cascade Bullets to be in the right frame of mind for Saturday’s top fixture against PLS Hawks, but things turned sour for them.

After losing the first quarter 11-22, Baya won the second and third 19-15 and 17-10, but they lost the plot again in the fourth, which coach Tony Juliette’s Bullets dominated and won 19-13 to run out 66-60 winners despite losing Sandy Julienne with five fouls.

Playmaker Christopher ‘Toto’ Camille, who scored on a nice alley-oop pass from Kenneth Sophie – with whom he teamed up well in the backcourt – carried the Bullets’ scoring load with 19 points, including a 3-pointer. Julienne, Dan Côme and skipper Biko Biong added 13 points apiece in what could be considered Bullets’ biggest win in many years.

Biong was also outstanding in the paint, rejecting a number of Baya’s shots to win possession, which his teammates turned into baskets, much to the delight of a small contingent of female supporters.

Centre Robert Léon got 21 points, playmaker Giovanni Laval 17 including three treys, and Steve Denis 12 in Baya’s third loss of the season, leaving their title challenge in tatters.

PLS Hawks 78 ... MBU Rockers 76

Steve Allisop saved PLS Hawks from defeat with a last-gasp basket, earning them a 78-76 win over MBU Rockers, who were looking to bounce back after a one-point margin loss – 62-63 – to Mont Fleuri Dawgz the previous weekend.

PLS Hawks coach Clifford Joubert and his assistant Alix Allisop breathed a sigh of relief after their team escaped from the jaws of defeat in a match during which Nigerian forward Alao Solomon scored 31 points and Daniel Victor added 10.

With swingman Cyril Agrippine still sidelined with a finger injury, shooting guard Brian Morel and playmaker Nigel Sinon picked up the slack, combining for 47 points.


Mont Fleuri Dawgz 93 ... RA Herons 39

Nigel Cafrine (25 points), Kevin Romain (23), skipper/playmaker Reggie Ah-kong (15) and Steven André (13) all scored in double digits in Mont Fleuri Dawgz’ 93-39 victory over RA Herons, who lost all four quarters – 7-22, 4-17, 14-23 and 14-31.

Coached by former Premium Cobras and Seychelles playmaker Nigel Ah-kong, the Dawgz are doing quite well in the 10-team two-round championship as they feature in mid-table.

Bertrand Alphonse led RA Herons in scoring with nine points.

Premium Cobras 108 ... Angels 57

With Nigerian Michael Ohiero banking five shots from downtown for 15 of his game-leading 42 points, Premium Cobras reached the century mark as they steamrollered Angels 108-57 on Saturday.

Amadou Sylla rediscovered his scoring touch with 26 points after netting just 2 points in the loss to Baya, while Steven Servina and Nigerian centre Simon Pusam scored 15 and 13 as coach Guy Hall’s team earned their 14th win in 15 games.


Cobras had rebounded from last Saturday’s defeat with a mid-week victory against Razors on a 93-57 score.
Charbel Servina (15 points) and captain Keiren Agathine (14) were the only Angels in double figures.


Razors 66 … RC Dynamics 60

Razors got balanced scoring from skipper Serge Radegonde (15 points), Alex Baron (14) and Allen Baron (14) to overcome RC Dynamics’ challenge with a 66-60 victory.

Last year’s second division champions Razors dominated the first three quarters, 15-13, 18-9 and 21-14, and although RC Dynamics won the fourth 24-12 it was too little too late.

RC Dynamics’ Ronny Julius bagged three treys and finished with 23 points before fouling out along with Kenneth Domingue, Naddy Marie, James Joubert and Emmanuel Jupiter.

Meanwhile, in the women’s league, Cadettes walked over Juniors.


G. G.

By Ostine Arinaitwe

RWANDA’s basketball body, Ferwaba, has embarked on preparations to host the 2010 Afro-basketball U-18 Kagame Cup from October 8 -17 at Amahoro indoor stadium.

Twelve teams from the continent will grace the biannual event that has received huge sponsorship from President Paul Kagame.

The teams in question include defending champions Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mali, Angola, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville and hosts Rwanda.

In an effort to put up a good display, Rwanda’s U-18 side recently travelled to USA for a two-week training camp in San Diego and Los Angeles.
The team wrapped up the camp with a couple of friendly games against select sides.

Although Coach Paris Nelson who was brought on board to try and transform the team seems happy with the progress, he is concerned about the team’s training schedule.
“Some of the players on the team are students so we are trying to work out ways of incorporating them in our daily sessions without necessarily interfering with their school schedule,” the American said.

Nelson is closely working with two local coaches; Cyrille Cyrille and Moise Mutokambili

Saturday results
Power 90-71 Ndejje
MBC 63-53Sharing
Kings 20-0 B. Court(w/o)
Women
Amazon 22-40 Stormers


Joseph Ikong does not seem to love taking the backseat as DMark Power romp into the MTN-Fuba League play-offs.

Inevitably, such is the avalanche of talent at the disposal of the three-time champions that the shooting guard may find himself as part of the supporting cast now and then.

Following a relatively quiet game against Mountain Dew Falcons last week, Ikong (pictured) recovered his gun to shoot a team-high 20 points in Power’s 90-71 thumping of Ndejje University Angels at YMCA court, Wandegeya on Saturday night.

Not that it was going to be contest but Power are clearly dishing caveats to all their rivals as Boniface Okello (13), Ben Komakech (11), captain Norman Blick (10) and Isaac Afidra (10) aided Ikong’s all-round display. Apart from Paul Mwaka (25), Ndejje struggled to keep pace with Power’s quick transition and full court press with the latter taking all four periods 28-19, 27-21, 19-18 and 16-13 respectively.

Uganda Christian University continues to shine while the defending champions Warriors seem to be wondering what luck is falling their way. In heated up encounter last night at the YMCA courts, UCU outsmarted the Warriors 69:63.

UCU from the start looked motivated scoring 25:22 in the first quarter, The Canons then outscored the defending champions, 22:12 in the second quarter, the Warriors the ploted a comeback, winning the and outscoring the Canons, 22:7 in the third quarter. The 4th quarter was majorly UCU winning it 15:7.
Warriors continue to struggle with form after the team had several new players added to it at the beginning of this season. Recruit Henry Malinga is still struggling offensively though defensively, he still remains a tower collecting several boards. Eric was absent from the fixture. Joshua Etalu is also struggling and Steven Okias can no longer find his scoring trends ending with 7 points with 22 minute on the floor. Martin Okwako with 32 minutes on the floor finished with 6 points. Kasewu Ronnie finished with 13 points while Ramadhan Abdullahi finished with 10, Jude Ocheng, 12 points , Brian Gumisiriza ,10 points.

Fatigue should probably be a reason for Warriors performance but it's tough to blame it on fatigue given the fact that both UCU and Warriors took part in the just concluded Zone 5 club champions in Burundi, a competition in which Warriors did not manage even a single victory also losing to Uganda's Miracle Eagles.

UCU capitalised on speed knowing that this Warriors side could not run as fast. Ivan Enabu, Jimmy Enabu, Steven Mwesigye and Adam Njoroge were always taking the ball very fast to the basketball and the relatively older legs of the Warriors could not cope up. Omondi Geofrey was not a big threat offensively on the night scoring 2 points in the absence of his brother Robert Mugabe and also getting a total on 9 rebounds. Three players, Jimmy Enabu, Mwesigye Steven and Njoroge Adam finished with 13 points each , Ivan Enabu had 9.

The league is getting very competitive especially in the first five places with Miracle also wanting to change history and play in their first playoffs and players are psyched especially with the signing of Steven Omony.

CUCU BRIAN.

Matches were played in both the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences with Delta Force Basketball Club of Asaba causing an upset as they beat former national champions, Ebun Comets by 69-67 points.

In other matches played at the Atlantic Conference, Union Bank defeated last season’s league runners-up, Lagos Islanders 65-62 points to keep alive their hope of picking a ticket for the final eight.

The table toppers in the conference, Royal Hoopers, have the highest win of the week, as they beat Dodan Warriors by 55 points, winning by 95-40 points to maintain the lead on the table.

At the Savannah Conference, Tapgun Rockets lost to Plateau Peaks by 63-90 points, while Bauchi Nets beat Yelwa Hawks by 69-55 points and Kada Stars defeated Niger Potters by 59-45 points.

Matches in the league will continue this weekend across the country.

source : http://pmnewsnigeria.com

Defending champion of the Nigeria DStv Premier League, Kano Pillars basketball club Wednesday proved that its a real champion with a 75-57 points win over Niger Potters basketball club of Minna at the sports hall of the Sani Abacha stadium, Kano.

In another Savannah conference mid-week cracker Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi defeated relegation threatened Tapgun Rockets who is Bauchi for a double road-game by 84-73 points and in Asaba, Delta Force basketball club failed to continue its superb form which has seen it humble teams like Union Bank, Dodan Warriors and Ebun Comets basketball clubs against a formidable Police Baton basketball club of Lagos.

The Warri-based Delta Force went down to the Coach Mark Balogun tutored Baton by 52-55 points thus putting its final-8 playoff qualification in check.

By Charles Mutebi
IT is just as well the Ndejje Angels have been in a rich form coming into today’s national basketball FUBA league encounter with Power. They will need it.
Ndejje have won three of their last four men’s top-flight matches, including the last two against KIU Titans and Nkumba Marines.

It is a run that has all but guaranteed Walker Obedi’s team survival from relegation, one that underlines the improvement they have made since the start of the league second round. Yet if Ndejje have improved, so have Power.

The difference is that Power were already one of the best teams in the league by the end of the first round. After their 80-61 victory over the Falcons two weeks ago, Power are probably the best team right now.

Bernice Nkunda’s team were untouchable against Falcons, who nonetheless had their talismanic centre Richard Osano hampered with a serious knee injury.
Obedi loves a challenge but if Power are anywhere close to their best, today’s could be a very long game.

Power have a number of quality players including Isaac Afidra, Ben Komakech, Isaac Lugudde, Norman Blick that they will again look

National Basketball
League

Today
KBC vs APR

Sunday
CSK vs Espoir
Rusizi vs UNR

REIGNING Champions APR have scores to settle when they clash with joint table leaders Kigali Basketball Club (KBC) this afternoon at Amahoro’s Indoor stadium.

In the run-in to the game, APR head coach Cliff Owuor emphasised the importance of this game saying, “ this is a must win game for us regardless of the fatigue from the just ended Zone 5 championship in Burundi.”

APR and KBC are on level point -24 although the army side, which has dominated the sport over the last four years, boasts of a superior point-difference. APR has scored 940 points and conceded 689 as opposed to KBC who have scored 997 and raked in 845points.

Tomorrow, 2007 losing finalist CSK plays Espoir while Rusizi host National University of Rwanda (NUR). CSK in third on the table standings with 22 points.

By Ben Ahenda

Tanzania’s boys’ basketball champions, Iyunga, have complained over the way their Pool B preliminary match of the Brookside East African Secondary Schools Games in Nakuru against Maseno School was handled, citing biased officiating.

The players, who spoke to FeverPitch on condition of anonymity, said they lost to Maseno technically but the margin of loss could have been narrow had stringent rules been followed by match officials.

"We lost but the margin could have been narrow had match officials followed the rules strictly," the enraged students said.

Technically Superior

The students admitted Maseno School were technically superior but appealed to officials to assign impartial referees in forthcoming matches as the competition enters a crucial stage. Maseno won the one-sided match 81-32 at Menengai High School on Tuesday morning.

Maseno are grouped in Pool ‘B’ with Rugunga of Rwanda, Uganda’s Cranes, Kenya’s Friends School Kamusinga, Iyunga and Nyuki from Zanzibar.

However, East Africa Secondary Schools Games Secretary General David Ngugi dismissed the claims, saying they only deal with qualified referees of international standards.

"Most of the referees officiating here are of international standards as we cannot compromise standards," he said at Nakuru High School, yesterday.

Investigations revealed that most Kenyan referees officiating at the competition were those from Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF).

High Standards

Ngugi pointed out that standards of basketball in the country are high compared to the region and said this would not be possible with unqualified referees.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the games’ vice president, Barnabas Kitilit, who said the organisation and officiating at the games wer above board.

Kitilit reiterated the association’s wish to see the region achieve the best standards in all disciplines.

Investigations have also revealed that all teams were allowed to bring own referees from their countries of origin to assist with the technical aspect of the games, but Iyunga did not do this. Participating teams were to cater for their accommodation and transport expenses for their stay in Kenya.

Another Tanzanian team in boys’ basketball is Makongo, who are in Pool ‘A’ with Kenya’s Laiser Hill Academy, St Michael of Uganda, Nairobi International School and Bentiu from Southern Sudan.

A total of seven countries are taking part in the eight-day sports extravaganza. They are hosts Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Southern Sudan and Zanzibar.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF/ DSTV Premier League resumed last weekend after about three weeks break because of the country’s involvement in the just concluded FIBA-Africa Nations Cup Zone III qualifiers in Lome, Togo.

Matches were played in both the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences with Delta Force Basketball Club of Asaba causing an upset as they beat former national champions, Ebun Comets by 69-67 points.

In other matches played at the Atlantic Conference, Union Bank defeated last season’s league runners-up, Lagos Islanders 65-62 points to keep alive their hope of picking a ticket for the final eight.

The table toppers in the conference, Royal Hoopers, have the highest win of the week, as they beat Dodan Warriors by 55 points, winning by 95-40 points to maintain the lead on the table.

At the Savannah Conference, Tapgun Rockets lost to Plateau Peaks by 63-90 points, while Bauchi Nets beat Yelwa Hawks by 69-55 points and Kada Stars defeated Niger Potters by 59-45 points.

Matches in the league will continue this weekend across the country.

—Wale Joseph

Today at YMCA
Warriors v UCU (7.30pm)
Women
KCC v KIU (5.30pm)
Results
Riders 47-57 UCU

They could be champions but Kyambogo Warriors are yet to thrill in defence of their MTN-Fuba League crown. That doesn’t matter to coach Gad Eteu as he thinks a place in the play-offs is almost guaranteed.

However, a dismal showing at the recently concluded Fiba Africa Zone V Club Championships raised a few alarm bells as the star cast still lumber to gel. Quick reality check on the lessons learned in Burundi arrives this evening against UCU Canons at YMCA court, Wandegeya.

“I am certain that we will get to the play-offs. Playing in the Zone V (event) helped us identify our loopholes,” Eteu told Daily Monitor.

Inconsitency
Apart from Markmot Orom, the other season signings have been inconsistent. Michael Kariuki, Henry and Eric Malinga must rise to the occasion to prevent the University side from completing the double over the champs.

If UCU coach Nick Natuhereza needed to spread his options, guard Adams Njoroge offered a timely answer with 21 points in the 57-47 victory over Knight Riders on Wednesday night.

Njoroge has barely played over the past two years following an ankle injury. Just like Warriors, UCU have fatigue worries having featured in the Zone V tournament.

“We were very tired and took time off after (the) Burundi (trip) where we learnt how to handle crunch time better,” Ivan Enabu, the UCU captain, noted.
Warriors-UCU is preceded by a women’s clash between champions KCC Leopards and KIU Rangers.

Today at YMCA
Riders v UCU (7.30pm)
KCC v KIU (5.30pm)

UCU Canons will walk onto YMCA court, Wandegeya this evening for their MTN-Fuba League game against Knight Riders with a huge statement to make. A dismal showing at the Fiba Africa Zone V Club Championships in Bujumbura, Burundi, must have left a few souls shaken within UCU though Ivan Enabu differs.

“Before we left, we had to be realistic as this was only a learning experience. We hadn’t even prepared for it well and only stepped in (as a replacement for cash-strapped DMark Power),” Enabu said in defence.

Related Stories

The UCU skipper believes their confidence was not shattered but they should have at least won one of their four group games. “From now, we can play together as a unit unlike when a player chases 60 points on his own. Handling crunch time has also improved,” the point guard added.

Big-man Sam Rukaire is struggling to make the game due to illness. In Riders, who beat Berkley 68-56 on Sunday, comes an opponent with the same style as the play-off hopefuls.
“They (Riders) play very good running basketball and it’s important that we handle that well,” UCU start Enabu cautioned.

Rogers Odiama, Ivan Mutabazi and Edward Kabanda hold the key to Riders’ chances of avoiding the drop. Elsewhere, mid-table strugglers KIU Titans face relegation-threatened KCC Lions in the early game.

IT was a crazy game. Just when Premium Cobras thought everything was OK after bridging a 20-point deficit and taking the lead, they lost.

That’s what a game of hoop is all about, and no one can deny Baya their 73-67 victory that snapped Cobras’ 12-game winning streak to throw the men’s division one championship wide open.

Saturday’s battle of former champions at the Palais des Sports had all the ingredients of an epic title match, and the fans were on the edge of their seats in the latter stages of the encounter as the two sets of players battled hard out on the court.

Victory for coach Guy Hall’s Cobras would have meant a step closer to the title, while a third defeat for Baya would have spelled the end of their championship dream.

Missing small forward Dave Roseline and with a shorthanded bench, Baya won the first two quarters 20-13 and 21-11 for a 41-24 half-time lead. On a playmaker Giovanni Laval layup from a Robert Léon feed with 3 minutes 34 seconds (3:34) played in the second period, their advantage had ballooned to 20 points – 46-26.

At this point Baya appeared to have put the game out of reach, but as their starters got some rest, Cobras used the opportunity to chip away, reducing the deficit to 10 points – 52-42 – and when Nigerian Michael Ohiero got the fifth of his game-high six 3-pointers with 7:53 left in the fourth quarter, Cobras led 55-54 and Baya had to readjust their game to respond to the challenge.

On a captain Hendricks Denis trey, Baya tied the score at 60-60 (5:26) before Nigel Annette completed a three-point play and Steve Denis buried a shot from downtown off the dribble, bringing their lead to 66-60.

Ohiero again got Cobras back at 66-66, but his team could only score one more point in the final minute as Baya got seven including a decisive long trey from Annette, who finished with six points off the bench.

Shooting guard Steve Denis finished with five treys for 15 of his team-leading 26 points, while Laval (15 points), centre Léon (13) and captain Hendricks Denis (11) contributed in Baya’s important win, cancelling out the first-round 61-66 loss.

Baya, who brought their win-lose record to 11-2, warmed up for Saturday’s match with a 109-62 win over Anse Boileau-based Angels on Thursday.

Ohiero finished with a game-high 32 points but could not propel his side to a 13th win and he was not helped by Amadou Sylla, who was a shadow of himself with a paltry 2 points compared to the 14 he scored in the first-round encounter when he came up big, scoring in traffic in the final two minutes.

Darren Lesperance was the only Cobra in double digits with 21 points, included four treys.
Also on Saturday, Steven André proved he is not only good at scoring goals in handball, but can also bank free-throws in crunch time.

As time expired, the Mont Fleuri Dawgz shooter was fouled by Alvin Marie, who fouled out, and he made a trip to the foul line to bury two shots to give his team a 63-62 win over MBU Rockers and overcome a big game from Nigel Sinon.

André finished with five points, while young Kevin Romain pulled the strings for coach Nigel Ah-Kong’s Dawgz with a team-high 21 points. Didier Valmont added 11 in his team’s win after they dominated the first and third quarters 16-10 and 26-14.

Captain and playmaker Sinon finished with a game-leading 31 points but they were not enough to earn Cyril Agrippine-less Rockers the full points.

Defending champions PLS Hawks, whose midweek match against RA Herons was not played as there were no referees, earned a 60-point difference win – 97-37 – against RC Dynamics on Sunday to stay in the title hunt.

Cascade Bullets also registered a big win on Sunday, beating RA Herons 97-31.

Meanwhile, in the men’s division two, Pointe Larue Falcons added a twist to the championship with an 83-77 overtime win over Anse Boileau-based Drifters, while Juniors edged Beau Vallon Heat 43-42 and Praslin Warriors earned a 72-55 win against visitors Anse Etoile.

In the women’s league, Veena Panagary buried 35 points to lead Mont Fleuri to a 92-19 win over Cadettes, who got nine points from N. Sifflore.

G. G.

Women final

Eagle Wings (Kenya)
75-43 APR

RWANDA’S representatives in the just ended Zone 5 Club Championship; CSK and APR‘s men and women are back after putting in a mixed performance in Burundi.

While APR’s women team exceeded many people’s expectations after reaching the ladies’ final, their male counterparts and CSK’s performance was well below par going by their standards.

CSK finished 4th after losing to eventual champions Cooperative Bank of Kenya 49-68 while Cliff Owour’s indomitable lions, who claimed back to back titles in 2007 and 2008, were forced to return with their tails between their legs after finishing a distant 5th.

However, APR ladies gave Rwanda something to smile about when they wrestled their way to the final before eventually losing out to Kenya’s Eagle Wings 43-75. At the semi-finals, the army side had dislodged KPA of Kenya 59-51.

The one-week tournament attracted five countries namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and hosts Burundi.

Kenyan clubs Co-operative Bank of Kenya and Eagle Wings over the weekend claimed the Fiba Africa Zone Five club championships with easy wins during the finals played at the Ministry of Sports, Bujumbura, Burundi.

Co-op easily whipped home side New Stars 69-40 while Wings flew all over APR of Rwanda recording another one sided 75-43 victory. What was expected to be closely fought final matches turned out to be cake walk for the Kenyans to the disgust of a packed home fans.

The other Kenyans teams here KCB Lions and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) were placed third in the six day tournament as KCB posted a 85-77 over time win over CSK of Rwanda while KPA triumped 64-38 over Berco Stars of Burundi respectively.

Co-op....69 Stars....40

It was Mark Mayien who hit the opening basket with a jumper before Allan Ouma made a three for a quick 5-0 lead. Stars tied the scores 5-5 on a shot by Bitoyi Kizia but again the bankers rolled away as a three pointer by Ouma made it 11-3 in the first quarter.

The second started as the first one after Melvin Oketch connected on a rebound, a Peter Kiganya three point play had the scores 23-11 and Co-op were on a roll building a 29-18 lead at the break.

In the third quarter, Eugene Genga checked in and scored four baskets to give Co-op a 43-23 advantage. The pressure mounted on the home side as the supporters were stunned into disbelief. Their three point shots that saw them nip Lions 74-72 suddenly went clank.

When Kiganya threw down a rim roasting slam that saw the scores hit 55-34, it was all over as Co-op toyed with the home side who had Uzemana Uyiie and Sibimana Fredie well contained.

Kiganya led the tally with 17 points, Ouma nailed 11 while Genga contributed eight in the second half for the champions. Kizia scored 13 and Uyiee shot 11 for the losers.

Wings.....75 APR.....43

Wings lived up to their promise and became the first self sponsored club to lift the regional trophy when they humiliated APR 75-43. It was all one sided tie as soon as Rebecca Sarange connected for the game opener that saw the winners coast to a 6-0 lead.

Anastsia Njeri burried two three pointers from the left wing before Blandine Ndays managed an opening free shot for the Rwandese as Wings moved ahead 13-5 in the first quarter.

Angela Okoth jumper from the base ignited a second quarter run and when Njeri swished a another three pointer, the scores were 27-14 in Wings favour. Rose Ouma and Janet Okoth followed that with easy scores as the winners went to the break with a solid 38-17 margin.

In the third quarter, a break by Ouma and an easy shot inside the key by Silalei Shalei made it a 30 point play at 52-22 with 2:40 still to play. Claire Connie and Wilson Janie efforts fell shot while Wings hit the target at will.

Okoth led then rout with 18 points, Salei managed 14, Njeri shot 13

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

Eagle Wings of Kenya and APR of Rwanda will represent the Zone V in November in Tunisia which will play the African Cup of Champions Clubs basketball.

Girls of Eagle Wings, Kenyan club, emerged victorious on Saturday the final of the Zone V basketball side, respectively agaist New Stars of Burundi and APR of Rwanda.

Eagle Wings easily beat APR of Rwanda on a score of 75 river points to 43.

SEYCHELLES doesn’t have the level to play at the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) men’s World Championship but it will be represented by three in Turkey.

Two young players – Laura Françoise and Kenny César – accompanied by coach Jerry Andrew leave early today for Istanbul, Turkey, to take part in the ‘Children of the World Camp’ for boys and girls from August 23-31.

The two youngsters and their coach were chosen by the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) for the camp.

Every national basketball federation was offered an opportunity to send one boy and one girl to the camp during the Fiba World Championship. All costs are born by the organisers and the camp will be held in several languages.

The organisers said this is a unique opportunity for all the national member federations to share the excitement of the 2010 Fiba World Championship and to provide these young players with unforgettable experience while meeting their fellow basketball friends from all over the world, learning about new cultures and making new friends.

The 2010 Fiba world congress will also be held in Istanbul on September 4-6, but SBF chairman Roy Collie has said that he is not sure of attending because the local federation does not have enough money to pay for such expenses even though he thinks Seychelles stands to gain a lot from presence at the congress.

Meanwhile, Turkey will host the Fiba World Championship from August 28 to September 12.

Considered as prestigious a competition as the Olympic basketball tournament, the World Championship is co-organised by Fiba.

For the third time since 1986, it will have 24 competing nations, an increase from 16. As a result, the groups are each playing in different cities, with the knockout round being hosted by Istanbul.

The 24 teams have been drawn into four groups of six and they will play each other on a round- robin basis. The top four teams in each group will advance to the knockout round – quarterfinals – until the new Fiba champions are crowned.

The groups
Group A (in Kayseri): Serbia, Argentina, Australia, Jordan, Germany, Angola
Group B (in Istanbul): Croatia, Brazil, Tunisia, Slovenia, Iran, USA
Group C (in Ankara): China, Turkey, Russia, Puerto Rico, Ivory Coast, Greece
Group D (in Izmir): Lithuania, Lebanon, France, Spain, Canada, New Zealand

G. G.

By Erick Ochieng'

Blacktown and Stingers are this year’s Nyanza Province Sprite Slam Basketball champions.

Blacktown beat Kenya Re 52-35 at the weekend to win the boys’ category in the event held at the Kenyatta Sports Ground.

Fans were treated to a tough contest that saw both teams fight hard to outdo each other. Blacktown dominated their pool, where they won all the matches. Stingers beat Blades by two baskets to win 19-15 in the girls’ final contest.

At the same time Romanov O’Connor of Blacktown, and Joyce Misita of Stingers, emerged the Most Valuable Players in both categories.

Five top players selected to represent Nyanza Province at the national championships in Nairobi are O’Connor, Samuel Gikara (Blacktown), George Okoth (Maseno A) Samuel Opel (Maseno A) and Jeremy Opiyo (Maseno A). Moses Wanjala was named the Slam Dunk King Sprite Slam in the province. The Most Talented Players in the girls’ category were Misita and Rachel Odhiambo, who plays for Kisumu Lakeside.

Stingers and Blacktown took home Sh20,000 each, while runners-up in each category took home Sh10,000. This is the second year that Sprite Slam Basketball Championship has been held in Kenya, with Nyanza being the first to hold its competition. Coast, Nairobi, Rift Valley and Central are yet to hold theirs. Winners of the national championships will tour the US next month and attend an NBA training camp.

Sprite Slam Tour is organised by Coca-Cola East and Central Africa, and targets the development of basketball skills among youth, while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The best three players from Kenya will form part of the All African Star Team, to tour the US, the home of NBA. Talent scouts from the Kenya Basketball Federation will do the selection.

Kenya’s stranglehold on boys and girls basketball ha been vice-like since the inception of the East Africa schools games and that looks unlikely to change this year.


Last year, Laiser Hill Academy beat Kamenge of Burundi 75-61 in that cracking boys’ final at St Leos College in Fort Portal, Uganda, while Shimba Hills beat Lang’ata 30-27 in an-all Kenyan final to win the girls’ trophy on their first appearance at the games.
According to Laiser Hill’s head coach Anthony Kirimi, nothing has changed, if anything, the top four spots should be won by Kenyan teams.

“We are here to defend our trophy and we urge the rest of the teams to follow and win the top four slots,” said Kirimi. “Now that we are playing at home, we ought to use that chance to bag medals.”

Opening match

That will depend on who shoots the winning basket, as the champions entertain their Nairobi International School in today’s opening match at 10:30am at Menengai High School.

NIS are playing at the regional games for the first time. It’s the second time the two sides will be meeting this year after their clash in this year’s national games held at Upper Hill School.

St. Michael High from Uganda, Tanzania’s Makongo and Bentiu Secondary from Southern Sudan complete the teams in Pool ‘A’.
Renew rivalry

Kenya champions, Maseno School will renew their rivalry with Friends School Kamusinga in Pool ‘B. Third last year in Fort Portal, Maseno start against Iyunga of Tanzania, as they aim to reclaim the title they last won in 2008 in Kigali, Rwanda.

“We are ready for the games. We didn’t do as we were expecting in Uganda, but this year, we are all ready,” said Maseno’s head coach, Paul Otula.

In the girls category, champions Shimba Hills are in Pool ‘B’, together with Buruburu , Sogea of Tanzania, ENDP Karubanda of Rwanda and Mary Hill of Uganda.

CEPS ladies and Police meet in the finals of the 2010 edition of the Thome Cabalan Championship at the Lebanon court on Friday afternoon.

The two sides have been impressive en route to the finals and Friday’s meeting will cap and incredible feat by both sides.

The defending champions beat Reformers, Magic Turbo Jets in the group stages before victory over CYO in the semi-finals helped them to book their place in the grand finale.

CEPS also triumphed over Holy Family and Turbo Jets to set a date with their nemesis.

It will be a game of revenge or maintaining dominance for both teams following their clash in the series.

Police beat CEPS on the final day of competition to win the Greater Accra series and therefore go into Friday’s game with so much hope.

But Police would have other ideas this time around and as point guard Veronica Deh reckons character and determination will be the overriding factors in the game.

‘We know how difficult it will be for us but we’re determined to go a step further and make history against Police on Friday’ she told basketballghana.com.

‘We are going to approach Friday game with all what we’ve got and we believe it will be for the books. We respect them but we’re not afraid of them despite losing to them in the league. The court will do the talking for us’ she added

By: Patrick Akoto

It may well be described as the game fit for the gods as defending champions CEPS and Tema Youth clash in the finals of the 2010 edition of the Thome Cabalan Championship in the men’s division on Friday.

The Tema based side are battling their demotion to D2 following their late arrival for a league game against Hoops on the final day of the series last month. But that will not be on the agenda when they tackle favourite CEPS in the men’s finals.

Coach Emmanuel Quarshie affectionately called rubber man is expected to inspire confidence in his charges as they attempt what many have been unable to do for the past decade- that is to beat CEPS to the title they won in 2008.

That will undoubtedly be a huge mountain for Youth to climb but in a competition which has seen major upsets that possibility cannot be ruled out.

But let face reality and admit that this will be just one of the games for CEPS. They put on the gear anytime they’re face with stiff opposition and have been unofficially been crowned champions by fans even before jump ball.

What awaits on Friday afternoon will be a game of class coupled with the determination to maintain the status quo or cause a major upset in the tournament rich history.

For a side that still shines when start shooting guard Dodzie fumbles on a bad day, it will take more than a miracle for Tema Youth to unseat the defending champions.

It’s almost certain CEPS will add another silverware to their rich trophy cabinet and win the cash prizes at stake.

It has been a thrilling memorial tournament for the past ten days and what fans pray for is an incredible end to an exciting competition.

By: Patrick Akoto

Final (boys)
Old K’la 54-48 Lubiri
Girls
Buddo 64-25 Old K’la
Semis (boys)
Kalinabiri 45-52 Lubiri
Ssaku 40-55 Old K’la
Girls
Maryhill 47-48 Old K’la
Buddo 57-18 Rock High


Old Kampala Secondary lifted the Sprite Schools Boys’ title following a 54-48 victory over battle-hardened Lubiri High here yesterday. The two teams treated spectators to an exciting game but it was Old Kampala’s class act that highlighted the end of the four-day tournament.

Led by eventual tournament MVP Abel Thon (14 points) and Denis Omodo (21), Old Kampala, who eliminated 2009 winners Ssaku in the semifinals, romped to a 16-7 early lead but Lubiri resisted going down with ease to end first quarter trailing by only one point (15-16).

Boniface Olet (21) and Chrispus Kilemba (8) led Lubiri’s charge, thrusting their team into the lead (21-20) early in the second quarter but it only lasted for a while as Old Kampala went into recess on top 29-22.

Two minutes to the end of third quarter, the scores were tied at 36 and the coast-to-coast action helped the fans quickly forget the one-sided girls’ final encounter between Buddo Secondary and Old Kampala, which ended 64-25 in favour of the former.

With the clock ticking away, towering Thon and Omodo forced Lubiri into error.
Buddo’s Stella Oyella, a 37-point hero in the final, walked away with the top scorer and MVP awards in the women’s category. Lubiri’s Chrispus Kilemba was the boys’ top scorer.

Results (Semi finals)
Men
CSK 49-68 COOP Bank (Kenya)

Women
APR 59-51 KPA (Kenya)

Today
Eagle Wings (Kenya) vs APR

WHILE CSK crumbled to a 49-68 defeat against a shrewd Cooperative Bank side of Kenya, APR’s women side kept Rwanda ‘s flag high after dislodging KPA of Kenya 59-51 in yesterday’s semi-final of this year’s Zone V club championships which are being held in Burundi.

The army side, which started the tournament on the wrong foot after losing to Kenya’s Eagle wings 59-63, proved that they mean business as they out-scored KPA who had been deemed favourites for the game.

It was APR’s third win of the tournament after victories over Uganda’s UCU (59-52) and Ngozi (67-52).

APR‘s men side failed to qualify for the semi-finals after suffering a 69-75 defeat against Burundi’s New stars.

Written by Anthony A. Stephens
http://www.starradio.org.lr


The LBF 2010 national championships may have come to an end but their fresh memories are still on the minds of many.

Star Sports has been retrospecting on how Uhuru Kings, Cestos Mogars, SOS Troters and K-Deltas got their hands around the first, second, third, and female division’s crowns.

The season mixed with pains, joys and smiles.

In truth, it started well for some big guns including Uhuru Kings and LPRC Oilers but the Kings were the most notable side as they went the entire first phase unbeaten.

They looked very comfortable there with those sparkling looking victories and even jump started the second phase with similar pace and pattern.

But their vigor for their first silverware in twelve years soon received an unthinkable and crazy punch in its face in April.

Uhuru Kings were condemned to their first league defeat by their great rivals NPA Deadly Pythons who they went on to face in the grand final.

The royal boys’ loss that fixture 61- 70 points to a recovering Pythons side that showed great power and strength on that faithful Sunday night.

It was a match in which the king’s expansive signing Mark Smith had less to offer to correspond with the cash that was thrown on the floor for him last season.

Uhuru Kings nightmare continued following that hard to believe defeat to the Deadly boys and were brought to their knees by another heavyweight in Liberian basketball in the form of LPRC Oilers-even though they beat them in the semi finals to sail through the big five.

So, as the king’s tails were being folded between their legs, Pythons grew in confidence and looked even more aggressive than ever.

The defending champion’s terrific comeback added some value to their title ambition and it helped them record some spectacular victories over the likes of Mighty Barrolle, Oilers, Commissioners and Flames.

Led by their talisman Rafael Quaye, Pythons took the headlines once more and their ascendency up the ladder was inevitable.

They however surrendered their spirited form all to a resurgence Uhuru Kings side in the big five spectacle which they started in glittering style.

The deadly boys apparently complacent with their two straight wins over the kings and knowing they were just a game away from putting their hands around a record fourth crown, got switched off in game three of the series.

It was in that outing that Uhuru Kings explained why it was their time to shine.

And victory on the evening meant all was well with them because they went on to pick up wins in the last two matches to celebrate the arrival of the long awaited silverware.

LPRC Oilers and Mighty Barrolle also brought some competitiveness to the party-holding the feet of NPA Pythons and Uhuru Kings to the fire and booking semi finals births with them.

It wasn’t really a season for the likes of Flames, Dream Team II, Commissioners, Monrovia Rockers and debutants Wild Cats, Wiloria Patriots and Urban Invaders who all struggled for fitness, composure and had generally less to offer the fray.

The second division category of the league also had some fire-burning memories to think about especially with the way it folded its wings.

It was all rosy for the likes of Monrovia Sky Force, St. Paul Crushers, Barnesville Celtics, Cardinals and Heats but they all had dreadful endings.

Sky Force on their first appearance in the league, were untouchable for almost the entire season, grabbing some priceless wins along their way to the much talked about big five.

But their 18 games winning streak was brought to an amazing halt by a courageous Cestos Mogars side who gave them some bitter pails to swallow.

Cestos Mogars came from the back of two defeats to end Monrovia Sky Force dream of a historic silverware and eared themselves the highly contested crown.

Though they won it in division three, SOS Trotters were made to work for their money as they were chased all the way to the grand final by Georgia Blazers, Ducor Magic and Deviers.

Most of the teams brought less to the occasion and made the race generally unbalanced.

Like the third division, the female component of the league was one sided and had less excitement with the bigger girls having almost the final commend and with most all of the new faces voluntarily giving out points.

This category was technically won by K-Deltas, beating their all time rivals Phoenix 2-0 in the big five after the two sides’ loss by forfeits in their opening two matches of the series.

The season was not as bad for C-Deltas as it was for the other new faces because they broke the old order and recorded an excellent start to their debut campaign, reaching as far as the big five.

Their rights of showcasing in the finals were however stripped off by the Technical Committee of the LBF who found them guilty for illegally fielding the controversial Amie Weah, with the player herself giving the back door for year.

C-Deltas also suffered a horrible six point deduction by the committee for their action.

The matter has however been taken to the Attrition Committee of the local Olympic committee for redress and if destiny goes their way there will be another female big five finals for the season.

Written by Mphatso Malidadi

Basmal vice president Jacob Chikoya said the youth camp would be held simultaneously with this year’s world basketball governing body’s (Fiba) congress.

The Fiba congress is expected to be held either this month or early September.
Chikoya said Basmal president Oscar Kanjala would accompany the three to the youth camp.
“As of now we have completed the process of selecting possible candidates to travel to Turkey. We want each region to benefit from this youth camp,” he said.

The Basmal vice president said the association has applied for visa to enable the three visit Turkey.
Chikoya said the youth camp would enable the three to gain international exposure.
Meanwhile, Central Zone Basketball League (Cezobal), is impressed with how the league has developed.

Cezobal vice president Barlett Mafuleka said most teams have improved tremendously.
“Teams which were regarded as minnows in the league have improved so much that you can’t predict their games as it used to be,” he said.
Mafuleka cited Trojans who are leading the Cezobal with 34 points.
“Trojans are a rejuvenated side, especially after beating reigning champions Mimbulu for the first time two weeks ago,” he said.
Trojans’ point guard Rocky Kaunda is the club’s leading scorer.

Last weekend, Kaunda notched 36 points in his teams two victories over Alliance One and Mdzodzo.

Results – Zone V
UCU 46-59 Co-op
CSK 62-72 Miracle
Women
Berco 63-48 KCC
Today – Fuba League
Ndejje v Nkumba (7.30pm)

Miracle Eagles lifted the mood of the Ugandan contingent at the Fiba Africa Zone V Club Championships with a hard fought 72-62 victory over Rwanda’s CSK Marines on Wednesday evening in Bujumbura, Burundi.

On a day when UCU Canons lost 46-59 to defending champions Co-operative Bank (Kenya) to join Kyambogo Warriors on the return journey home, Miracle’s win offered almost sufficient respite.

They too had to work extremely hard as CSK led 21-15, 18-12 and 9-12 through the first three quarters respectively. With a third straight defeat glaring in their faces, coach Brian Rugyendo’s side burst out of their shells to take the penultimate period 23-14.

The tournament is Miracle’s first appearance at the annual regional event, coming weeks after signing former Mountain Dew Falcons star Stephen Omony. Nonetheless, their biggest remains reaching this year’s MTN-Fuba League play-offs.

UCU couldn’t find their second gear in their loss to the five-time Kenyan champions, trailing 6-13, 17-12, 12-20 and 11-14 through the four periods. Elsewhere, KCC Leopards joined the rush for the exit after going down 48-63 to Burundi’s Berco Stars in group B.

Having won a game, a 75-71 result against Tanzania’s Jeshi Stars, KCC fared narrowly better than UCU Lady Canons, the other women’s side. UCU were bundled out from group A on Wednesday after three losses in as many games.

SINGAPORE (Youth olympic Games) - FIBA's Kristian Santiago spoke with Day Two-hero Romeh El Sadani from Egypt.

FIBA: You won surprisingly against Lithuania on the second game-day. What were your thoughts in the moment you shot the buzzer?

Romeh El Sadani: I was just hoping that it goes in, and when my shot went in, I was just so happy!

FIBA: How is it for you to play 3-on-3 instead of 5-on-5?

Romeh El Sadani: It's so fast moving, you have no time to take a breath. We play 3-on-3 in Egypt only for fun as we don't have tournaments with this format.

FIBA: Were you able to stroll around town to see some attractions? Do you enjoy being here?

Romeh El Sadani: It'S a beautiful country but it's so hot! We didn't see anything yet, but we plan to do some sightseeing soon.

FIBA: Who is your favorite basketball player?

Romeh El Sadani: Kobe Bryant! He's the best player in the world!

FIBA: Thank you for your time and all the best to you!

FIBA

8 women teams participating to qualifiers champions club of zone V in Burundi.

On 17th August held the third day of competition, KPA, APR, EAGLE WINGS,and KCC are the winners of the day. Below the results .

Catégory Women

KCC 71 : 68 JESHI STARS
NGOZI 40 : 63 EAGLE WINGS
UCU 42 : 59 APR
KPA 67 : 48 BERCO STARS

With a total of 18 team (10 men and 8 women) participating to qualifiers champions club of zone V in Burundi.

On 17th August held the third day of competition, below the results of the day.

Category Men

CSK 60 : 58 WARRIORS
MIRACLES 43 : 66 URNANI
DONBOSCO 62 : 64 NEWSTARS
APR 60 : 61 COOP BANK

By Usher Komugisha and Samson Opus

KCC Leopards gave Ugandans something to be proud about when they registered the country’s second win by beating Tanzania’s Jeshi Stars 71-68 on Tuesday evening at the Zone V club championships in Bujumbura.

They outs cored Jeshi 13-7 in the first quarter but remained inconsistent in the second after putting up only 15-30. Annet Nakiwu, Becky Akullo and Carol Nantalo contributed 14, 7 and 6 points of the 29 in the third quarter to beat Jeshi who only managed 20.

Meanwhile, the Kyambogo Warriors yesterday bowed out of the tournament when they lost their third game to CSK.

•Defending champions Ssaku SS breezed to the semi-finals of the on going Schools basketball championship yesterday.

Andrew Katushabe and Derrick Ongom sunk 19 and 17 points as the Luwero champions overrun Jinja SS 61-34. The victory set up Jinja in a semi-final clash against Old Kampala SS in a repeat of last years semi-finals.

In the other quarterfinal, Lubiri beat Manjasi 80-78.

By Doreen Umutesi

Results

Men
CSK 60-58 Warriors (Uga)
APR 60-61 COOP Bank (Ken)
APR 69-33 DONBOSCO (Tan)

Women
APR 59-52 UCU (Uga)
APR 67-52 Ngozi (Bur)

Today
CSK vs KCB (Ken)
New Stars (Bur) vs APR

RWANDA’S basketball giants, CSK and APR’s men and women teams have displayed remarkable skills in the on-going Zone V Championship in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura.

CSK‘s two straight wins in the tournament (before last evening’s game against Burundi’s Miracle) put them in a good position to reach the last four.

The Rugunga based outfit slaughtered Uganda’s Warriors with a two point’s difference (60-58) hence handing the Ugandans their third straight loss.

Semi finals for both the men and women are scheduled for Friday and the finals on Saturday

Today – Zone V
UCUv Co-op (3pm)
CSK v Miracle (6pm)
Women:
Berco v KCC (2pm)
Eagle Wings v UCU (10am)
Results
APR 67-27 UCU
Urnani 81-61 Warriors
KCB 81-75 Miracle
Women:
KPA 58-50 KCC
Ngozi 56-54 UCU
MTN-Fuba League
Mak Cubs v Stormers (5.30pm)

If it were possible to erase Monday August 16, 2010 from the calendar, Ugandan teams at the ongoing Fiba Africa Zone V Club Championships would gladly take the bate. The day started with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) beating KCC Leopards 58-50 in the women’s competition and ended with Miracle Eagles losing 75-81 to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in Bujumbura, Burundi. In between, Urnani (Burundi) got a huge 81-61 victory over Kyambogo Warriors, APR (Rwanda) decimated UCU Canons 67-27 just before UYesterday’s rest day came at an opportune time for UCU as they recuperate for their game against champions Co-operative Bank (Kenya) this afternoon. “That was a typical off-day for us. There was a lot of disorganisation in offense and lacked energy in defence,” Ivan Enabu, the UCU skipper, said in his postmortem. Having won their opening game against New Stars (Burundi) after a boardroom hearing, UCU retain a chance of progressing from pool B. Coach Gad Eteu is glad that his Warriors’ team finally earns a rest after playing for three games in just 72 hours. Thereafter, Eteu faces a familiar foe in Miracle tomorrow though both sides’ chances of advancing from pool A are very slim. Miracle’s faltering hopes now meet another hurdle against Rwanda’s CSK Marines in pool A. It’s been a steep learning curve for Brian Rugyendo, the Miracle coach.
CU Lady Canons restored some pride in their narrow 54-56 loss to home side Ngozi.

The Zone Five basketball Club Championship starts today in Burundi with Uganda represented by three men and two ladies teams. FELIX EUPAL analyses their chances of success.



National champions and last year’s losing finalists, Warriors set the Zone Five as their main goal for this season and the pre-season signings say it all.

Coach Gad Eteu seems to have found the missing part of the puzzle in his squad following the acquisition of the Malinga brothers from Falcons. That said, they will need to play as a team to have any chance of upstaging the competition.

On the other hand, no team goes into the tourney with a more fascinating story than Mukono-based UCU Canons; in a space of one season, they lost the brains and heart of the team in coach Jason Mehl and flirted with relegation before recovering to enjoy a ten-game winning streak.

And now, they have a shot at the Zone Five. Unfortunately the university calendar doesn’t come in handy; the Zone Five coincides with the examination period at the University.

Then the championship’s foreign based player rule, which limits every team to only two foreigners, has also adversely affected them. Adam Njorore, Kenneth Rotti, Naftary Msogoti and Robert Mugabe are all sitting out this one. Only skipper Jeff Omondi and Robert Ogweno make it as the foreigners.

The Enabu brothers; Ivan and Jimmy will have to put their hearts out if the Canons are to continue living the dream.

That cannot be said of Miracle, who only got confirmation on August 10. All eyes will be on the new star signing Stephen Omony and his ability to carry the team but little is expected of them apart from the exposure.

In the ladies category, KCC Leopards lead the way and their coach Timothy Odeke has proved many times that he can get something out of nothing and having a squad has been there and done that will be an added advantage.

Whether he can win the Zone Five is another matter altogether. The other ladies team, UCU Lady Canons, are faced with several hiccups. Their star Brenda Mbone misses the tournament due to exams while the scoring machine Frances Nabulobi is ruled out with an injury.

This leaves last season’s top scorer Lorraine Akinyi and Maureen Amoding with a big burden on their shoulders. Meanwhile the 16th edition of the schools sprite basketball tournament starts today at Manjansi High School, Tororo with 25 schools, both boys and girls, participating in the one week tournament.

A technical team from the American NBA will select the 30 best players who will join another set chosen from within Kampala. The overall best five will travel to the US for further training.

Coca Cola promotions manager Kennedy Mutenyo says that this is an invitational tournament and each participating team will receive free accommodation, a Sprite basketball uniform and balls among others. The tournament aims to uplift basketball in schools and also tap talent for the clubs and national teams.

feupal@observer.ug This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Results
Lubiri High53-68 Ssaku
Rock High 45-21 Jovoc
Old K’la 81-37 Jinja SS
Jovoc 26-63 Lubiri High
Manjasi 67-44 Jinja
Kalinabiri 49-78 Old K’la
Ssaku 49-31 Rock High
Girls
Buddo55-15 Rock High
Jinja 7-48 Maryhill
Manjasi 38-16 Kalinabiri
Ssaku 17-8 Kalinabiri
Today (boys’ quarters)
Old K’la v Jovoc
Ssaku v Jinja SS
Manjansi v Lubiri

Elvis Onyango scored 44 points, the highest by any player in the ongoing Sprite schools tournament as hosts Manjasi recovered from their opening day defeat to hammer Jinja SS 67-44 yesterday. Onyango’s performance, though, couldn’t mask the rate at which the school – a hitherto a basketball powerhouse– has lost its bite. The mention of Manjasi in the late 90s would send chills down the spines of opposing teams but the hosts can’t even dream of winning such a tournament with the class being exhibited by Old Kampala and title holders Ssaku.

Old Kampala made the quarterfinals without a loss in three outings, completing their sweep with a come-from-behind 78-48 victory over Kalinabiri SS. Nakawa Division’s Kalinabiri took a 20-16 first quarter lead but made countless errors in the second.

By Erick Ochieng'

Blacktown and Stingers are this year’s Nyanza Province Sprite Slam Basketball champions.

Blacktown beat Kenya Re 52-35 at the weekend to win the boys’ category in the event held at the Kenyatta Sports Ground.

Fans were treated to a tough contest that saw both teams fight hard to outdo each other. Blacktown dominated their pool, where they won all the matches. Stingers beat Blades by two baskets to win 19-15 in the girls’ final contest.

At the same time Romanov O’Connor of Blacktown, and Joyce Misita of Stingers, emerged the Most Valuable Players in both categories.

Five top players selected to represent Nyanza Province at the national championships in Nairobi are O’Connor, Samuel Gikara (Blacktown), George Okoth (Maseno A) Samuel Opel (Maseno A) and Jeremy Opiyo (Maseno A). Moses Wanjala was named the Slam Dunk King Sprite Slam in the province. The Most Talented Players in the girls’ category were Misita and Rachel Odhiambo, who plays for Kisumu Lakeside.

Stingers and Blacktown took home Sh20,000 each, while runners-up in each category took home Sh10,000. This is the second year that Sprite Slam Basketball Championship has been held in Kenya, with Nyanza being the first to hold its competition. Coast, Nairobi, Rift Valley and Central are yet to hold theirs. Winners of the national championships will tour the US next month and attend an NBA training camp.

Sprite Slam Tour is organised by Coca-Cola East and Central Africa, and targets the development of basketball skills among youth, while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The best three players from Kenya will form part of the All African Star Team, to tour the US, the home of NBA. Talent scouts from the Kenya Basketball Federation will do the selection.

ONE of the country’s finest young female basketball talents, Sherifah Agathine, scorched Cadettes on Saturday in a women’s league match.

The Anse Boileau secondary five student scored a game-high and season-leading 63 points to help defending champions HotShots to a 157-13 win over inexperienced and youthful side Cadettes on Saturday at Victoria Gymnasium.

A member of the country’s team at the Jeux de la Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien (CJSOI) in 2008, Agathine said she was satisfied with her performance in Saturday’s game.

“I am very satisfied with how I performed and I look forward to doing even better in the future,” said Agathine, who promises to become a good player if she stays focused on what she has to do to improve her game.

The Fontaine sisters – Beguitta (28) and Zera (23) – combined for 51 points and centre Tina Agathine added 19 in the lopsided win as coach Philip Arissol had very little to do from the sidelines.

Former men’s champions Baya reached the century mark against RC Dynamics as they warmed up for this coming weekend’s match against leaders Premium Cobras.

Coach Michel Malbrook’s team won all four quarters, 20-17, 22-16, 38-18 and 24-21, in a landslide 104-71 victory.

Baya had five players – captain-of-the-day Hendricks Denis (18), centre Robert Léon (16), small forward Dave Roseline, reserve centre Tony ‘General’ Barbé (11) and playmaker Giovanni Laval (10) – scoring in double figures.

Veteran Emmanuel Jupiter, who fouled out along with Isaah Rose and Kenneth Domingue, carried the scoring load for coach Jim Domingue’s RC Dynamics with 19 points.

Captain Nigel Sinon led by example with a game-leading 20 points in MBU Rockers’ 19-point margin –80-61 – victory over Cascade Bullets.

Under the leadership of coach Alvin Alcindor, the Rockers also got 13 points from Brian Morel and 12 from both swingman Cyril Agrippine and dreadlocked Nigel ‘Jah’ Henriette.

They won three of the four quarters, 23-13, 23-16 and 22-20, while the Bullets dominated only the second on a 12-10 score.
Sharpshooter Dan Côme had the hot hands for the Bullets with 20 points and Tony Alcindor made a 14-point contribution.

G. G.
source : http://www.nation.sc/

Legacy beat Little Prince 74-69 in the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) League played at Railway Club.

Legacy won the quarters 18-19, 10-11, 18-10, 16-22, and 7-12, with Ramadhan Hamisi and Daniel Odhiambo contributing 19 and 15 points for the winners.

Ezra Arenge (11points) and Moses Tona (14) stood out for Little Prince. NBA games at weekend were hit by hitches as organisers put teams to task to pay pending league fees. Although some teams have fully paid, others were compelled to do so before matches could proceed.

NBA Fixtures Secretary Caleb Osewe advised clubs which have not paid up to do so. In other matches, Legacy beat Balozi 71-50 after leading 40-15 at halftime and opening the gap in the last two quarters.

Defeated

Neosasa Morans defeated Nairobi Deaf Kings 72-25. Sauna overcame Little Prince 71-64, while Old Pirates edged out Madison 68-66. In the women’s category, Safe Paces beat World Hope 58-23.

Meanwhile, Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) beat Kenya Civil Aviation Authority 67-63 at the ongoing Kenya Communications Sports Organisations Games at Machakos Municipal Stadium.

PCK won 24-17 the first quarter, and put the scores 37-32 before rest. Upon resumption, it was all systems go as PCK led 54-46 before finishing the match 67-63.

William Ochieng and Tonya Abondo had 22 and 12 points for PCK, while Victor Ochieng’ and Zadock Odhiambo scored 17 and 15 for KCAA.

At the same time, the basketball fraternity meets today to raise funds for the late Kevin Samora, formerly of Posta, at Railway Club in Nairobi.

Nigeria complete the dominance of FIBA Africa Zone-3 with a 75-65 points win over second place Cote d’Ivoire in an exciting game of the elimination series.

The nigerian side roar to a 20-08 points win in the first quarter but the Ivories stood their groub in the second quarter ending the quarter with a 19 points apiece for a half-time scores of 39-27 points.

Nigeria enter the third quarter determine to had a double over Cote d’Ivoire posting a 22-15 points victory to go into the last quarter with a 19 points advantage of 61-42 points.

Determined not to go down easily Cote d’Ivoire charged back in the fourth quarter but their effort could only yield an 18-14 points win to lose by 10 points of 75-65 points.

Nigeria end the elimination series with a 5-1 record while second placed Cote d’Ivoire a 4-2 record and a 10th All Africa Games ticket.

Nigeria captain, Stanley Gumut led his teammate with 22 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, Abubakar Usman contributed 16 points and 4 rebounds, Azuoma Dike added 10 points with Onyeka Ekpete grabbing 10 rebounds and 9 points.

Cote d’Ivoire versatile point guard Bohui Gbotto led the floor with 25 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, Alpha Yaya Outtara added 15 points and 8 rebounds with Stephane Kokoun grabbed 11 rebounds and scored 9 points.

Buddo SS’ Mariam Atwejese (centre) battles for the ball with Jinja players at Manjasi HS

By Usher Komugisha
and Samson Opus

Zone 5 results:
Men
Urunani 81 Warriors 61
Women
KPA 58 KCC 50
Ngozi 56 UCU 54
Today: Men
Miracle vs Urunani10am
CSK vs Warriors 3pm
APR vs Coop Bank 6pm
Women
UCU vs APR 11am
KCC vs Jeshi stars 4pm
Schools basketball
Boys
Ssaku 87 St. Joseph 13
Rock High 50 Lubiri SS 61
Manjasi 52 Old K’la 66
Jinja SS 31 Kalinabiri 52
Girls
Ssaku SS 21 Manjasi 17
Maryhill 41 Rock High 26
Buddo 70 Jinja SS 13
Old K’la 21 Kalinabiri 10

LOCAL basketball league champions, Kyambogo warriors have made a false start at this year’s zone 5 club championship when they went down 61-81 to KCB Lions.

After long hours on the road, fatigue caught up with the Warriors as they played five hours after arrival against the KCB Lions who arrived in Bujumbura earli¬er on Wednesday for the week long Zone 5 club championships.

“The players were tired from the long journey but will cope up as the tourna¬ment goes on,” explained a confident Coach Gad Eteu.

As finalists in last year’s edition hosted in Kampala, the Warriors went into this tournament as favourites but so far they have not put up any performance close to last year’s form.

MEANWHILE defending champions Ssaku and Buddo SS made a formidable start as the secondary school basketball championship tipped off in Tororo yesterday.

Ssaku boosted their chances of taking back the boys title to Luwero with a convincing 87-13 victory over St. Joseph’s Vocational College.

Fred Otieno and Daniel Ongom notched 22 and 21 points respectively.

By Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo

Defending a championship is harder than winning it for the first time, it is often said. This is the kind of situation Ssaku and Buddo secondary schools find themselves in as the 16th Sprite tournament gets underway in Tororo this morning. Ssaku won the boys’ title last year while Buddo ruled the girls’ category but with the motivation of a trip to USA for the best players at stake, the holders have a tough job on their hands. Tournament sponsors Coca-Cola revealed last week the three most outstanding players in the tournament would be taken to America for a training camp in October. With Old Kampala, Lubiri, Kibuli and hosts Majansi fielding teams, Ssaku will have a tough time trying to win the title for the third time. Buddo, too, should expect a spirited challenge from Mbarara’s Maryhill and Kibuli in the girls’ category.

To stop some teams from fielding none-students, the technical committee spent the bigger part of yesterday screening all players.“Since its an invitational tournament, we are providing all teams with playing kits,” Coca-Cola promotions manager Kennedy Mutenyo told Daily Monitor. “We also don’t expect any team to pay registration fees like its done in other tournaments.”The technical committee composed mainly of Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) officials, has been asked to choose the best 30 players in the tournament. The 30 will join others in Kampala for a camp before the best three are selected to travel to America for the National Basketball Association (NBA)-organised workshop.

By Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo

Today – Zone V
APR v UCU (3pm)
Urnani v Warriors (5pm)
KCB v Miracle (8pm)
Women: KPA v KCC (11am)
Ngozi v UCU (10am)
Results – Fuba League
KIU 64-71 Ndejje

Miracle Eagles’ plan to dominate basketball in years to come faces an early examination against Kenya’s KCB Lions today at the FIBA Africa Zone V Club Championships in Bujumbura, Burundi. Yet to reach the play-offs in the local MTN-Fuba League, Miracle only made the bus journey yesterday following DMark Power’s failure to travel due to financial constraints. Coach Brian Rugyendo is quietly optimistic about how far his team will go in the region’s biggest basketball showpiece.

“This is a very important tournament for the team’s learning process. It’s also an opportunity to play hard and win some games,” Rugyendo told Daily Monitor yesterday. Having signed Stephen Omony just three weeks ago, Rugyendo wants the star to bond with his new teammates if Miracle is to turn promise into reality. Elsewhere, last year’s finalists Kyambogo Warriors face the wrath of the home crowd against Urnani in pool B whereas UCU Canons draw their guns on giants APR (Rwanda).

Results

Men

Urunani (Bur) 59-66 CSK (Rwa)
APR (Rwa) 67-27 UCU (Uga)

Women

APR (Rwa) 59-63 Eagle Wings (Ken)

Today

Men

CSK vs Warriors (Uga)
APR vs COOP BANK (Ken)

Women

UCU (Uga) vs APR

Rwandan sides, APR and CSK (both men) made flying start to their 2010 Zone V championships’ campaign with wins over Urunani and UCU respectively. But APR ladies were humbled by Kenya’s Eagle Wings.

CSK thrashed hosts, Urunani 66-59 in their first game of the tournament on Sunday. The Ruganga based team took the first quarter 12-11 but the hosts rallied to take the second (16-13) and third (13-12). However, the Rwandan side had the last laugh after dominating the fourth quarter 29-19 hence wrapping the game 66-59.

Meanwhile, national men’s league champions, APR outplayed UCU of Uganda 67-27 in their opening game played last evening, while their sisters (APR women) lost 59-63 to Kenya’s Eagles Wings.

APR men’s team head Coach Cliff Owour, in a telephone interview from Bujumbura expressed his delight with the way his team handled their Ugandan opponents.

“The win was really important since it was our first game of the tournament, however, we have other tough games on the way especially one against COOP BANK of Kenya tomorrow (today),” noted the former Kenyan international.

The week-long tournament, which started on Sunday, will climax on Saturday, August 21.

Kenya Ports Authority won basketball title at the 31st edition of the Kenya Communication Sports Organisation (Kecoso) Games that ended on Saturday by beating defending champions Postal Corporation 52-51 in a thrilling encounter at the Machakos Municipal Stadium.

The tension-packed duel, which was watched by the African Basketball Association’s Zone Five president, Dennis Aluanga, was a minute per minute thriller with Postal Corporation showing all signs of defending the trophy they won last year from their rivals until their defence broke up in the dying minutes of play.

The Coastal side will thank their hard-working player Mickey Wana who scored the winning basket with just eight seconds left.

The losers controlled the better part of the match but cracked in the dying minutes allowing KPA danger men Wana, captain Fred Odongo and James Odhiambo room to penetrate their guard.

KPA’s coach Sammy Kiki, in a post-match interview, admitted that they were lucky to beat their arch rivals.

“They played well and dominated the first minutes of play, at intervals I kept telling my boys to defend and absorb the pressure the tactics paid dividends,” Kiki said.

During last year’s finals in Nakuru, KPA were the defending champions but lost out to Posta.

Sweet revenge

“This time around we have earned a sweet revenge”, said Kiki. Posta coach Duncan Nalwenge said his boys played well but paid heavily for mistakes they should have avoided.

“I am not blaming my players, they played as per instructions but small mistakes here and their saw us lose steam and lost the lead we had taken up early”, said Nalwenge.

Nigeria strolled Saturday late afternoon to face Benin (76-47) in Day 4 of Zone III Qualifiers for Afrobasket 2011 and African games which are taking place in Lome, Togo.

Benin have not to be ashamed of this defeat so Nigeria was a notch above.

It only takes 5 minutes for the D'Tigers stalk their prey. Very applied with a defense more than aggressive, they limited Benin to 9 points against 22 at the end of the first quarter.

The level goes up a notch in the second quarter with a press defense stifles Benin and allows the mark by Nigerian cons. Just like Bukar Mohammed (10 points). The break occurs on the score of 37-16.

In the 3rd quarter they get away with intractable OMOWYA inside (he finished the game with 19 points and 10 rebounds leading scorer of the match).

With a lead of 34 points early in the fourth quarter (65-31), the match was folded although Benin twon the last quarter (16-11).

Final score 76-47 for Nigeria, which builds up in this tournament

Result – Friday
Power 80-61 Falcons
Today at YMCA
St. Michael v KCC (7.30pm)
Heaters v Vegetarian (3.30pm)
Ssaku v Kings (11.30am)
UCU JV v Stormers (9.30am)
Women
Bucks v A-1 (5.30pm)
Amazon v Cubs (1.30pm)

The usual feisty Friday MTN-Fuba League contest was reduced to a procession as DMark Power steamrolled Mountain Dew Falcons 80-61 to lay down an early marker for the play-offs.

It was a comprehensive team performance from Power as their opponents faded as soon as the umpires got the game underway at a packed YMCA court, Wandegeya.
Power, three -time league champions, hardly put a foot wrong as they put the record winners to the sword with their quick transition.

Fit-again forward Isaac Afidra made a giant step to regaining his shooting gun with a game-high 22 points. “I think our team strategy was fantastic especially the guards who defended superbly,” an elated Afidra told Sunday Monitor.

Falcons’ guards Sudi Ulanga (8) and Ronnie Kalule (8) hardly got any rhythm as their direct foes in Ben Komakech (10) and Emmanuel Enabu (4) shut them out.
Having clinched the first quarter 26-10, Power tightened their screws on the seemingly disorganized opposition who showed some fight but the efforts came a little too late.

“I don’t think we have trained as hard as we did for the past two weeks. Everyone was brilliant,” Power captain Norman Blick, who had seven points, said.
Despite reducing the margin to 13-14, 22-16 and 19-21 in the final three periods, Falcons only masked a dour night as the game ended in unusual quiet.

Playing through a pain barrier on his knee, Richard Osano Omondi (5) was barely competitive as Falcons relied on Mike Buzangu (15) and Bievenue Ngandu (10). Teams in Burundi.

Elsewhere, local champions Warriors, Miracle, UCU Canons and UCU Lady Canons made the bus journey to Bujumbura on Friday night for the Africa Zone 5 Club Championship.

After being in Kenya, the team Athletes in Action will be in Rwanda to following their clinics schedule.

The training clinics will run from August 16-19 at Amahoro indoor stadium.

The Americans coaches are there to promote basketball development in Rwanda and they also train their local counterparts a number of things including basketball philosophy, coaching, how to select a team, developing of metal toughness, health and injury prevention among others.

The most outstanding players at the Sprite Schools Basketball Championship stand a lifetime chance of participating in a National Basketball Association (NBA) training camp in America in October.

The schools tournament, expected to attract 25 teams, throws off this weekend at Majansi High School, Tororo.
“Our technical team will select the best 30 players during the tournament,” Coca-cola promotions manager Kennedy Mutenyo told Daily Monitor yesterday.
Coca-Cola are sponsoring the activities under their Sprite brand.

Best three
“The 30 will join some others for a training camp in Kampala. We shall then select the best three to be taken to USA for the NBA camp,” he added. “Last year we took five players to a camp in South and we are now raising the stakes.”

The tournament at Majansi begins with screening on Sunday before action proper gets underway Monday. “Being an invitational tournament, we shall kit all teams and take care of their upkeep,” Mutenyo noted.

Ssaku and Buddo SS are the boys and girls’ defending champions

Nigeria Thursday dethrone Cote d’Ivoire as the leader of the FIBA Africa Zone-III elimination in Day-3 of the series with a 72-52 points win.

Nigeria who lost narrowly to Togo on Wednesday came out against Cote d’Ivoire who had enjoyed an unbeaten run in the qualifying series more determined and this paid off as the Nigerian side picked the first two quarters with 19-13 and 16-13 points for a half-time score-line of 36-26 points.

Cote d’Ivoire came out smoking in the third quarter but the effort could only yield a 20-19 points win going into the final quarter with a 9 points deficit with the Nigerian pilling up pressure on the Cote d’Ivoire side winning the last quarter by 17-06 points for a final score of 72-52 points which shot them to the top of the four-nation elimination series.

Nigeria Abubakar Usman led the floor with 19 points, Azuoma Dike added 14 points, Mattew Omonye contributed 10 points and 5 rebounds while Onyeka Ekpete grabbed 7 rebounds to secure victory for Nigeria who now share the same record with Cote d’Ivoire of 2-1.

Today at YMCA
Power v Falcons (7.30pm)
Women: UCU v KIU (5.30pm)
Results – Wednesday
Berkley 48-90 UCU
Women
Bucks 55-61 Mak Sparks

Throughout the first round of the MTN-Fuba League, Mountain Dew Falcons looked like the team to beat. That is now disputable following Falcons’ tame 78-76 loss to Kyambogo Warriors on the opening night of the second round just two weeks ago.
Tonight at YMCA court, Wandegeya, Falcons will seek to treat that defeat as a flash in the pan when they face eternal rivals DMark Power.

With eight league titles between them, the duo are by far the two most successful clubs in Ugandan basketball but reputations won’t matter. Knowing the mental impact of that loss to Warriors, Falcons’ star Richard Osano Omondi, watered down its significance.

“It’s okay to make a mistake now and lose a game but not in the play-offs,” Omondi said defiantly. On the flipside, this collision would offer a clear contrast in styles with Falcons going for keeping structures and shape whereas Power stuck to quick transitions in the past.

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However, the acquisition of guards Sudi Ulanga and Mike Buzangu has made Falcons quicker in offense without sacrificing their potency in the paint manned by Biekevenue Ngandu.

Even without a coach and forward Isaac Afidra for most this season, Power have gone about their business like surgeons with Joseph Ikong, Norman Blick and Ben Komaketch flourishing in their comfort zones.

The women’s game between UCU Lady Canons and KIU Rangers will serve the purpose of a fitting curtain raiser On Wednesday night, UCU Canons’ beat relegation-bound Berkley 90-48 while Makerere Sparks also defeated Bucks 61-55 in a women’s game.

Nigeria’s senior basketball team, D’Tigers, will this evening take on Cote d’Ivoire in a must-win match at the ongoing FIBA-Africa Zone III qualifiers in Lome, Togo.

Wale Joseph, reports that theCoach Sani Ahmed-tutored D’Tigers must win today’s game if their dream of hoisting the nation’s flag at the forthcoming FIBA-Africa Nations Cup in Cote d’Ivoire must come to pass.

D’Tigers, who lost 58-59 points to hosts, Togo yesterday must beat the Ivoriens, who have won their two games in the qualifiers. They defeated Togo and Benin Republic 53-46 and 81-57 points respectively to top the table.

D’Tigers beat Benin Republic 60-43 points in their first match. Togo will also take on Benin Republic later today.

Three years ago, Solomon Alabi, was a member of the Under 19 national team that won the FIBA-Africa Junior Championship in South Africa. The 22 years old centre with 7’1 height will be playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with Toronto Raptors Basketball Club. He was in Nigeria for the recent Giants of Africa Camp, as a role model to the young players in this year’s edition. Alabi, who was a player in the camp a few years ago, spoke to WALE JOSEPH about his career since leaving the country for United States and his dream of playing for the country very soon.

Welcome back to the country after many years in the United States?
It’s good to be back at home. It has been a long time I left Nigeria. I have been busy in the States with my studies at the Florida State University working hard to realise my dreams.

How far have you been able to achieve this dream?
Getting drafted to play in the American basketball circuit means so much to me. I’m excited about my call up to play at Toronto Raptors. This is a great opportunity for me. I got the chance to represent Nigeria at junior level and now I’m thrilled that I will represent Nigeria at the NBA.

Can you tell our readers how you came about the drafting to the Raptors?
It’s not easy at all. I actually got drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, but was traded to the Raptors with a three-year contract.

How have you been coping since then?
I have been working hard getting ready for the upcoming season. This is summer, so I need to get ready, train very hard for the task ahead of me. NBA programme is on now, so I’ve been travelling with the team.

What should your fans expect from you this season?
My hope and expectation is to be better than the other guys in the NBA and I am going to keep working hard to make sure my team win every game. I just want to go out there to play my games and enjoy the season.

Hakeem Olajuwon is a Nigerian that has made huge impact in the NBA, how are you going to cope with the pressure of playing in the NBA and making your own impact?
The fact that another Nigerian, Hakeem Olajuwon has made it so big in the NBA is a source of inspiration to me. I am desirous of this feat and I intend to follow the footsteps of this illustrious compatriot. You know, Olajuwon was a great NBA player, I want to play like him and achieve more than him. I want to be one of the top 50 NBA players of all time.

What are you doing in Nigeria?
I can never forget my background and those who helped me realise my dream. I am in the country as a role model to the participants at the Giants of Africa Camp organised by Masai Ujiri, who is the Assistant General Manager of Toronto Raptors. Interestingly, I was a member of this camp six years ago. So I’m in the country for the Camp and I am excited about it. I was in the same situation like them (the participants). Now I am back here to talk to the players and let them know that anything is possible if you work hard and put your mind on what you are doing. I hope my presence here, as a role model, will help the players know that they can equally make it big in the game.

Do you have any plan to represent the country in the future?
Yes of course, I am just 22-years-old and I am looking forward to playing for the senior national team because I have come of age. More so, a lot of my teammates from 2007 in the African and World Championships of that year are doing great today. They are playing college basketball in the United States now. Joseph Katuka is in George Washington; Emmanuel Negedu just got transferred from Tennessee to New Mexico. So I believe Nigeria has a great team for the future.

Reigning champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have trained well for the event and are all set. So too are national champions KCB Lions and Eagle Wings.

Co-op Bank depart Thursday while KCB Lions, KPA and Eagle Wings will over the weekend.

Emmanuel Agunda, the bankers team manager told Fiba Africa that his boys were all set for the six day festival and was highly optimistic that they would win again to represent the region in the Africa club championships.

"We have trained well. We have few new recruits that have fitted well into our system and all that we are looking forward to is to retain the championships in Burundi once again." said Agunda adding, "the boys are all rearing to go."

According to Zone Five secretary Vitalis Gode a total of 17 clubs from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Kenya and host Burundi are expected to parade for the show.